Area police doing a great job in the war on drugs

Published Feb 27, 2013 at 12:31 pm
(Updated Feb 27, 2013 at 12:31 pm)

In recent weeks, it seems as though headlines about drug busts have become more common in our newspapers. And, we aren’t just talking about a traffic stop involving a few joints and some paraphernalia.

In January, Canonsburg police, in cooperation with Cecil Township police, arrested Eric Chronister of Canonsburg, a suspected high-level marijuana dealer. It was estimated that he was making an average of $3,200 each week in marijuana sales.

At the beginning of February, David McCloskey of North Strabane Twp. and Lauren Curtain of Canonsburg were arrested after allegedly selling crystal methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Thanks to tipsters, police also learned that McCloskey might be making crystal meth.

And most recently, last week, Canonsburg police were again successful in another drug bust – they arrested Jason Hollman of Strabane and Damen Gamble of Canonsburg during a traffic stop. In the vehicle, police found around 350 total stamp bags and $2,000 cash. It was estimated that the two were selling up to $6,900 worth of heroin per day in Canonsburg and North Strabane from their homes.

Take a minute to digest that number – $6,900 worth of heroin per day. In Canonsburg and North Strabane.

It is doubtful that these dealers considered the consequences of their actions – and we aren’t even talking about the legal consequences. We are talking about the lives that they are helping to ruin. Those on heroin, crystal meth and even those who smoke pot are putting their lives at risk every single time that they use. Nationally, drug overdoses are up for the 11th year in a row, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not only that, but if the people they are selling to have children, they aren’t being responsible parents and are subjecting their kids to a lifestyle which the kids will probably be doomed to repeat.

We recognize that addiction is a disease, but at the same time, these high-volume dealers are doing nothing but fueling the fire. We are thrilled that area police are working together to combat the problem, and that they have been successful in doing so. It’s highly likely that many in the area had no idea what was going on, nor to the extent as to which it was.

So, we want to thank the local police, as well as the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, for protecting our communities. We also want to thank those who have cooperated with the investigations.